Affirmation

Saturday

"I cannot thank you enough for hooking me up with your jeweler," Shane beams with pride.

"My pleasure, especially since you decided to spend your entire bonus on her engagement ring," Simon responds, "You ready for the Monroe Fundraiser tonight?"

"Absolutely, I still think we have a shot at landing the gated community contract plus I am going to follow up with some of the City Council Members."

He nods his head, "Alright…keep making KCSF look good," he brings the conversation to a close. Shane shakes his hand and heads out the door. Simon retrieves the landline calling the familiar number. "When do I get my cut and what did you sell him?" he asks the shadow voice.

"Check your Seychelles Isles account and the usual-Moissanite. Where did you find this one?"

"Believe it or not he walked through the door and offered himself up like a lamb to the slaughter," he replies.

Milton shakes his head while holding the receiver, "I guess a sucker is born every minute. Look, while I have your attention. You need to ease up on the freelance burglaries. Not all the deputies are dumb and all the bail money is eating through the equity line of credit for the black card. He needs to believe he is flush with cash," he advises.

"Fine…I will talk to the over eager deviants. You stay on top of the back end," he snaps before disconnecting.

Pastor Watts continues to pray over Sasha and Daryl, "Lord, our great provider, please produce a mighty bounty for this couple…May they be fruitful and replenish your flock…I ask that you create understanding in times of conflict and comfort in times of sorrow…in your name we pray…amen," he concludes.

"Amen," they recite in unison raising their stiff necks. The session started one half of an hour earlier and the older pastor had not addressed one item on the mandatory marriage counseling agenda. He engaged them in a conversation that ranged from living in Kings' County, their jobs, their friends and a whole discussion on vegetable gardens.

He slowly shuffles the papers on his desk. "Let us begin the counseling session discussing obedience," he begins.

Daryl back straightens and Sasha's eyes harden, "I beg your pardon?" she asks slowly.

He chuckles slightly, "I know you young girls find my ways old fashioned but God's teaching are clear. You need to submit to your husband as the head of the household in the same way that God is the head of the church," he explains.

Before she can part her lips Daryl takes the lead to head off disaster. She wants their ceremony in her childhood church but if this man kept talking they would need a new venue. "Uh, I ain't that good of a Christian but if those are the rules here goes…Sasha, as the head of the household I am laying down the law," he holds his hand up to stop her. "I am going to make the money and you are going to spend it. I am going to pretend to eat right but I never will…When I mess up…no silent treatment. I only really need two things," he hold up two meaty fingers, "You happy and a big, rambunctious brood of kids…can you handle that?" he winks.

Sasha smiles wickedly, "I do believe I can submit to your authority." They both turn back to the Pastor.

Saturday night

Deanna Monroe concludes her re-election speech and the fundraising event is in full swing. The individual invitees and organizations mingle throughout the venue. Shane and Lori float through the crowd like the unofficial king and queen of high society. She keeps her left hand clutched on his bicep making sure her newly engaged finger remained in the eye-sight of everyone they came in contact with during every interaction.

Shane turns abruptly and collides with a familiar face, "Spencer, did not see you…how's it going?" he asks.

Spencer stands a little taller, "Great. I am surprised to see you at my mother's fundraiser. Is this your first time?" his voice laced with condescension.

"You are right. I did not attend in the past but as the Captain of Kings' County Security Firm I now attend all the important community functions," Shane brags.

"Of course," the presence of his date breaks the conversation. Jessie hands Spencer a drink before tucking her hand into his elbow. "Thanks," he looks down before kissing her forehead. "Jessie you remember Shane," he brings her into the conversation.

She nods before speaking, "Nice to see you again." She pauses, "Oh, you too Lori."

Before Shane can open his mouth Lori shoves her hand in Jessie's face waving each finger, "I'm engaged now," she gloats.

Jessie and Spencer share a look, "Well good for you. I know you have been desperate to walk down the aisle. When is the big day?" Jessie's petty voice replies.

Lori narrows her eyes, "Wouldn't you love to know," she snaps quickly.

"Actually I do not care and I doubt anyone else will either. Enjoy your evening," she offers a pivoting princess wave before walking away.

Rick drags his exhausted body up the stairs. He occasionally pulls extra shifts to make sure he can extend his paternity leave and boost their savings for unforeseen expenses. "Gorgeous, how was the fundraiser?" he asks turning to enter their bedroom. He stops moving at the doorway. He starts with her bare feet crossed at the ankles placed on the ottoman in front of the club chair. His eyes roam the length of her legs before reaching her naked, glistening, swollen belly and heavy breast. Her nipples are stiff and pointing in his direction.

Michonne removes the Big Stick Cherry and Pineapple Popsicle from her mouth with a lip smacking pop. "Fine…Deanna says hello as well as all the ladies from the League of Women Voters," she rolls her eyes.

"Huh," he responds with his eyes fixed on her lips. Are words coming out of that glorious mouth?

"Drop you pants Grimes," she commands. I may be on pelvic rest but my man will not go without.

"What?"

"I said…drop…your…pants." He fumbles with his belt buckle and uses both hands to tug his uniform pants and boxers down from his narrow hips. "Good job. Now, you need to grab that fat cock and follow my lead. This popsicle is your cock," she slides the frozen treat over her pursed lips and hums in delight.

Rick's brain finally catches up. He strokes in time with her steady rhythm. In all his years he has never experienced anything this erotic. She prolongs the pleasure by slowing down and speeding up. "Best wife ever," he pants as his hips begin to thrust forward.

Michonne pulls the treat out and circles the tip with her tongue. "That's right…use your thumb to work the head," she coaches. His thick thighs tighten and his eyes cross. "It has been too long…let go," she directs.

He grunts before erupting and falling back against the door frame and sliding down the wall.

Sunday

Rick and Carl walk down the bike trail that borders his three acre property. "I try to be responsible. I get good grades…I'm taking college courses and I have a job-thanks to Michonne; but still…that isn't enough for her. She is a control freak," he rants.

Rick nods, "Stop right there. Think…Ask yourself who was she before she was your Aunt Carol? Do you know? Have you ever asked? Does she talk about her life before she was Sophia's mom?"

Carl stops walking and searching his brain. "I...wait…what?" the confusion is evident.

"Exactly…you have no idea who she was or what she experienced. I am not saying she is right but there may be more to the story. Life lesson: empathy. We all deserve some and we all should extend some to others," he explains. Carl turns and searches Rick's face. He knows something I don't. "Do not ask because that story belongs to her," he confirms Carl's suspicion.

Carl and Rick trek back to the house and enter through the back door. "Y'all finished your male bonding," Michonne's teasing voices call from the kitchen. They turn the corner and watch her use a carving knife to slice a large watermelon horizontally. "Want a snack?" she smiles at them.

"Sure," Carl replies. She places her half of the watermelon i 13 Pyrex dish and slices the remaining half again. "Go for it," she gestures to a plate with the knife. Carl moves to the sink to wash his hands and she takes a seat at the table.

Rick yawns, "Thanks Gorgeous but I am going to grab a quick nap," he delivers peck to her lips and rubs her belly. He walks over to the sink and pulls Carl into a warm embrace. "You be safe on the road next week and don't be shame to call if you need anything-understand," he leans down to look him in the eye.

"I won't…I promise," he affirms. Rick pats his shoulder and heads upstairs.

"So, college road trip," Michonne teases raising her brows playfully.

He laughs, "Yeah…no big deal," he replies with a cheesy grin. Laughter burst from her throat. She continues to cut chunks of melon eating them off the tip of the blade. "Oh, I got you something," he reaches into the upper left hand pocket of his dark brown plaid shirt. He slides the jewelry box across the table.

Michonne looks down at the box and up at her underage partner in crime. "Carl," she asks in wonder.

He wipes his hands on a napkin before reaching over and opening the box. "I need you to know how much I appreciate you. How much you changed my life. First, the intern gig and even though you will never admit you submitted our names for the Junior Senator's program I will always know the truth. I still cannot wrap my mind around the car. Whatever good I do in my life…you and Uncle Rick are part of the reason why," he confesses from the bottom of his heart.

Michonne wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "Well don't just sit there…put it on me," she smiles through her tears. Carl retrieves the piece of jewelry and she raises her ever growing locs from her neck. He secures the small latch and returns to his chair. "How do I look?" she strikes a pose tilting her chin up and turning one shoulder toward him.

He laughs at her wide smile and eyes the delicate letter M lying against her rich skin. "You look like you…the perfect mom."